Suggested ItineraryEcothusiasts! Relaxing on the River in Smithfield, Virginia

In 1608, shortly after the Jamestown settlement was established, Captain John Smith crossed the James River & traded with the Warraskoyack Tribe, first residents of present-day Isle of Wight County. Est. in 1634 as one of the original 8 shires of the Virginia Colony, this rural community with its quaint towns of Windsor & Smithfield is rich in history. The Pagan & Blackwater Rivers, and the Jones & Cypress Creeks provide boating opportunities from canoeing & kayaking to motorboats & sailing. The Pagan is maintained to a minimum depth of 10 feet. With the Smithfield Station, historic downtown Smithfield is easily accessible by water or land, so you can take in the area's historic attractions, shopping, dining & lodging opportunities as well. Isle of Wight County is "boater friendly," offering Jones Creek Boat Ramp & Fishing Pier and Tyler's Beach Boat Ramp, the privately owned Brown's Marina & Gatling Pointe Yacht Club, as well as the unique Smithfield Station, Waterfront Inn Restaurant & Marina. The new riverside Windsor Castle Park, is located in downtown Smithfield and features a canoe/kayak ramp, walking trails, dogpark & picnic areas - all easily accessible to the downtown district and Smithfield Station. The area has several great fishing spots. Robert Clontz Park, located in Smithfield, is a gorgeous boardwalk on the Pagan River, a perfect spot for fishing. Carrollton Nike Park offers a fishing pier in a park setting. Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge is located near the James River Bridge, and Butler Campgrounds has a fishing pier, plus tent camping and a boathouse. Be sure to finish your trip by dining at one of our waterfront establishments: the Smithfield Station, or Captain Chuck-a-Muck's in Rescue. Or try one of our downtown restaurants including the Smithfield Inn, Gourmet Bakery, Olde World Tea Company, the Ice Cream Parlor or the new Taste of Smithfield – Smithfield Foods' flagship café and gourmet grocery.